This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Berberis thunbergii
  • Japanese Barberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Berberis genus in the family Berberidaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Berberis thunbergii has 0 edible uses listed
Berberis thunbergii has 0 material uses listed
Berberis thunbergii has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2]. Dry with a very poor flavour[K]. The fruits are about 8mm long[3]. Leaves - cooked.

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge[4]. They are very tolerant of trimming and have prickles which make them an effective barrier to larger creatures[K].

The cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' can be used for ground cover[5]. It makes a dense covering when planted 30cm apart each way[5].

A yellow dye is obtained from the root and branches[6].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root bark is anthelmintic, antiseptic and febrifuge[6]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[7]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[7]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[7].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Cancer
Febrifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[8]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[8], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[9]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[10]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Fairly easy[11].

Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[8]. Fairly easy[11]

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Berberis thunbergii. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[11][3]. Prefers a lime-free soil according to one report[12]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[11][3].

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[13]. A commonly grown ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[12]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[3]. Unlike most other members of this genus, this plant does not usually hybridize with other species[14]. An alternate host of 'black-stem rust' of wheat so it has been extensively grubbed up from its habitats.

This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Berberis thunbergii. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Berberis thunbergii.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Berberis thunbergii
Genus
Berberis
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[6][7]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6]
Botanic
[11][15][3]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    2 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    9. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    10. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    14. ? Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 (1961-00-00)
    15. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-58

    "image:BerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Berberis_thunbergii&oldid=75570"
    Facts about "Berberis thunbergii"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusBerberis +
    Functions asGround cover + and Hedge +
    Has common nameJapanese Barberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit + and Leaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageBerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antibacterial +, Antiseptic +, Cancer + and Febrifuge +
    Has primary imageBerberisThunbergiiBerries.jpg +
    Has search nameberberis thunbergii + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameBerberis thunbergii +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +